British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Photo: Taken from the official website of the British Navy
The Chinese Communist Party has now built the world’s largest maritime fleet. In response to the rise of Chinese naval power, the British Ministry of Defense (MoD) released the most comprehensive military modernization strategy dossier since the end of the Cold War, “Defense in an Age of Competition,” on the 22nd, which is scheduled to expand the number of surface warships to 24.
According to the strategy dossier, the MoD is focusing on three most important priorities to upgrade the Royal Navy’s capabilities: the Type 32 frigate program, which was first revealed by the Prime Minister late last year; the construction of the Multipurpose Maritime Surveillance Ship (MROSS); and the upgrade of the Gulf-class landing ships to coastal strike ships (LSS). To raise the funds to support these programs, the UK will have to phase out two of its oldest Type 23 frigates ahead of schedule.
Defense Briefing reports that the UK’s new generation of Type 83 destroyers is already in the concept design and evaluation phase, and is proposed to replace the current Type 45 destroyers in the late 2030s. The UK plans to double its investment in building warships to more than £1.7 billion a year during the current parliamentary term. By 2030, the number of surface warships in the Royal Navy is expected to increase to 24.
In terms of air power, the UK plans to build seven Typhoon squadrons over the next few years to continue to improve its air capabilities, but plans to procure 138 F-35B fifth-generation fighters have officially been scaled back. Although no official information is available, reports estimate that the U.K. will equip up to 70 F-35s.
One of the reasons for the F-35 cuts is the country’s focus on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS, or next-generation fighter), which will receive a £2 billion investment over the next four years, according to the report, and will provide a variety of manned, unmanned and autonomous flight platforms, including Drones. The UK is also developing a prototype “loyal wingman” unmanned fighter jet that will fly alongside manned fighters.
According to the report, the British Army is arguably the biggest loser. By 2025, the British Army will be reduced to 72,500 personnel. “The restructuring of the British Army means fewer troops will be needed. The creation of combat support battalions will require fewer logistical, electrical and mechanical engineers and medical personnel. Infantry units will be reorganized into four divisions. These divisions would include a balanced number of battalions providing the full range of infantry mission functions. No units (numbers) will be eliminated and no redundancies (strengths) will be required.”
Britain’s Typhoon fighter jets. Photo:ripped from WeChat
An aerial view of the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth’s carrier formation.
The UK plans to build seven Typhoon squadrons in the next few years to continue to improve its air combat capabilities. Photo:flipped from WeChat
Recent Comments